‘As the soldiers arrived on our sandy beaches, a brave young girl hid beautiful leather-bound books. She risked her life to protect the secrets of this island and save the man she loved. I want you to find the books, dear Francesca. Her diary holds the first clue, take it, and uncover her incredible story…’
As golden sunlight shimmers across the crystal-clear water, Francesca arrives on the tranquil Italian island of Santa Caterina in search of precious rare books. She quickly discovers she was invited by the island’s mysterious owner, alongside handsome local book collector Thiago, to unlock a secret spanning generations. Together, they learn the books were hidden during the Second World War by Helèna, the daughter of a bookseller, who sacrificed everything to save the island’s treasures from the Nazis.
With only Helèna’s diary to guide them, Francesca finds herself growing closer to Thiago, with his deep blue eyes and sun-kissed curls. As they curl up under the stars, piecing together clues in the gentle, rose-scented breeze and retracing Helèna’s steps on the quaint cobbled streets, Francesca begins to wonder if she can finally open her heart to a new beginning…
But when an unbelievable act of courage and a heart-breaking secret in the final pages of the diary shatters everything she and Thiago thought they knew about Helèna, Francesca realises the remarkable wartime story of love and sacrifice has the power to change both of their lives forever.
An unforgettable and emotional story of bravery, love and secrets from the author of Amazon No.1 bestseller The Italian Villa and million-copy bestseller, Watch Over Me. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Victoria Hislop, and The Letter by Kathryn Hughes, readers will be absolutely hooked on The Bookseller’s Daughter.
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My Thoughts
Such a beautiful story. What happens when you fall in love with the competition? After a broken engagement Francesca needs to get away from the memories and what could be better than going off to the exotic location of Italy? Asked to go there by her boss she is to purchase a rare and very valuable book from a collector. She is not the only one though who wants this book, a handsome young man is also after the same book. Arriving at her destination she is made aware this will be like a treasure hunt she and Thiago, the Italian collector, will have to locate the manuscripts using clues written about in an old diary. In this time slip we get to experience the diary of Helena a young girl who lived on the beautiful Italian island of Santa Caterina during WWII. She has hidden the manuscripts to ensure their safety during the Nazi invasion. I enjoyed reading both time periods equally. The descriptions of the island and the search has an almost mystical quality to it that I enjoyed very much. Helena and Francesca’s story are similar in the sense that they both fall in love with who you wouldn’t expect them to. The words just flowed as I read, and I had such a hard time putting this down. Such unexpected twists and turns in this book I just loved it.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Daniela Sacerdoti is the author of the bestselling Glen Avich series which has sold over one million copies in ebook to date, Sacerdoti’s debut novel Watch Over Me was named the eighth bestselling Kindle book of all time in 2015, when she was also ranked as the eleventh top-selling Kindle author. She lives in a small village in the middle of nowhere, with her Scottish husband, two children, a Cocker spaniel and a foundling kitten (who was definitely a witch in a past life).
My Only Daughter: A gripping and emotional tale of a mother’s love by Ann O’Loughlin
‘I love you, and you are my daughter, no matter what anyone says. Nobody can take you from me.’
In beautiful Rathmoney House nestled by the wild Irish Sea, Margo sits in her black suit, three strings of pearls at her neck, nodding at those offering their condolences. She never thought she would be here without her beloved husband. All she has left is their beautiful daughter Elsa and a house full of memories. Then, she receives a letter that turns everything she thought she knew on its head…
When Margo learns that her daughter was accidentally switched at birth with an American child and Elsa is not in fact her biological daughter, her world shatters. American Cassie and her daughter Tilly are equally shocked to learn about this tragic mistake, and both parents are terrified about the prospect of their daughters being taken away.
Margo and Cassie know that together they must protect their daughters, both biological and not. Cassie and Tilly fly to Ireland, and with the help of the local community they must learn to support each other through the most difficult times.
Will they be able to find a new version of family, or will the shocking revelation force them apart forever?
Previously published as My Mother’s Daughter
An absolutely glorious and emotional read that celebrates the power of female friendship. Perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Cathy Kelly and Kathleen McGurl.
Two women, Margo and Cassie living in different countries, the US and the UK don’t know each other or have any reason to, but they soon will. See these women raised each other’s biological daughter but don’t know this yet.
One is newly widowed, the other divorced with a husband that didn’t have time for his daughter. Both girls were born on the same day in the same hospital but one of the couples moves out of the country shortly after their daughter’s birth.
When a letter is delivered one day it changes the life of the woman who receives it when a dna test proves that not only is her ex-husband not the father, but she is not the mother.
This story follows the lives of the women, their daughters, family and friends as the women meet to save one of the girls’ lives.
There are so many ups and downs, my emotions could not keep up. I needed the Kleenex multiple times. I don’t want to give anything more away, but this is so heartwarming you’ll not want to put it down. Celebrating such strong female bonds that will last a lifetime. An absolute must read!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
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Author bio:
Ann is the Irish author of five novels and has been translated into eleven languages. Her first novel The Ballroom Cafe was also an ebook bestseller and in the top 20 bestselling books of 2015 on Amazon UK. Ann loves to write and often gets up at 5am to get the words down, before starting her other job of writing as a news reporter. A leading journalist in Ireland, Ann has covered all major news events in a long career with Independent Newspapers, Ireland. She is now a senior journalist with the Irish Examiner specialising in legal issues. Ann has also lived in India. Originally from the west of Ireland she now lives on the east coast with her husband and family.
336 pages October 05,2021 publication date Zondervan publisher
About The Book
Two sisters have their hands full with matchmaking for their new employee, Rose, and the handsome handyman who just moved to town—all while trying to get to the bottom of who could be one of their own secret admirers.
Sisters Esther and Lizzie have a new employee, Rose Petersheim, to help them tend to The Peony Inn. But their old matchmaking ways have stayed the same. The sisters focus their efforts on the lovely twenty-five-year-old Rose. Though Rose is witty and outspoken, her nervous chattering makes her the best match for someone calm and good at listening. Someone like Benjamin—the handsome handyman who recently moved to town.
But when Esther receives an anonymous love letter and flowers, Rose’s love life is no longer the only one capturing the sisters’ attention. As they sleuth around searching for Esther’s secret admirer, they uncover that their grumpy renter, Gus, has a secret of his own that could bring about a difficult change in all their lives. And their continued meddling in Rose’s affairs reveals she, too, is hiding something—an old wound that could threaten her future happiness.
As Rose, Lizzie, Esther, and Gus struggle to release the weight of their pasts, they discover that although people are complicated, love doesn’t need to be.
This charming third installment of the Amish Inn series from bestselling author Beth Wiseman is a picture of loss and healing in which forgiveness will prove to be the greatest act of love.
Charming and uplifting Amish romance
The third installment of The Amish Inn Novels
Book 1: A Picture of Love
Book 2: An Unlikely Match
Book 3: A Season of Change
Book length: 85,000 words
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
Amish woman posing with hen
My Thoughts
A Season of Change is the third book in the Amish Inn series but the first in the series I’ve read. My husband has read all of them though and loved them, recommending I read the first two, which I hope to make time for soon. With that being said I do feel as if I could easily read the other books in the series to quickly catch up in this series as there are many repeat characters especially the main characters.
This is such an emotional book with so much going on. I just loved all the characters especially the two older 70+ ages sisters who run the Amish Inn. One is outgoing and a bit pushy the other compliments her perfectly, she is reserved and not as apt to try new things or circumstances.
At the inn they have a cook/housekeeper named Rose, now this sweet Amish girl has a beautiful personality, is bubbly and outgoing and if you let her she’ll talk your ear off. The inn’s guests love her for it. When Rose overhears the sister’s talking about her saying maybe the reason she can’t get another date with the men she goes out with is because she talks too much, she takes it to heart.
She is so excited to go on a date with handsome Benjamin and knows she’ll put into practice her “quiet” self. Benjamin is quiet himself and needs a mate that is a bit more talkative to balance him out . Benjamin is so disappointed that Rose is so quiet and though he can’t stop thinking about her he can’t go on another date with her because she is so quiet.
I did like the character Gus as well, a man living in one of the cottages on the property. Gus has a secret he’s keeping. Rose, Gus, and innkeeper sisters Lizzie and Esther all have things in their past holding them back that they need to work through. Keep the box of Kleenex nearby you’re going to need it multiple times in this emotional and compassionate love story. I greatly look forward to the next book in this Amish series.
Pub Date 05 Oct 2021 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold two million books, her novels have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. She is a three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and an INSPY Award winner. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series—Seek Me With All Your Heart—was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing into the year 2018, and she has published thirteen novels and thirteen novellas to date.
As a former newspaper reporter, Beth was honored by her peers with eleven journalism awards, including first place news writing for The Texas Press Association. She has been a humor columnist for The 1960 Sun in Houston and published articles in various publications. However, writing novels is where her heart is. She left her job as a journalist in 2008 to write novels fulltime.
Beth has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas. Her first non-Amish, contemporary—Need You Now—released in April 2012 and landed on the CBA Bestseller List. She enjoyed writing the story based in a town near where she lives, and she chose another small Texas town for her next non-Amish contemporary—The House that Love Built—which is based in Smithville, the same quaint town where movies such as Hope Floats and Tree of Life were filmed. Beth continued to spread her wings when she released The Promise in October 2014. Inspired by actual events, The Promise follows Beth’s characters all the way to Pakistan. Beth was involved in the real-life rescue when her friend was held captive in Pakistan. Beth is currently working on book #2 in her new Amish Secrets series, tentatively titled Jacob’s Ladder. Book #1—Her Brother’s Keeper—recently released and was chosen as a Top Pick by RT Reviews Magazine.
Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying the country life in Texas. When she’s not writing, she loves to travel, paint, and enjoy time with friends and family. You can find Beth at Fans of Beth Wiseman on Facebook where she interacts with readers and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/bethwiseman.
Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold two million books, her novels have held spots on the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Bestseller List and the CBA (Christian Book Association) Bestseller List. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. She is a three-time winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, and an INSPY Award winner. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series—Seek Me With All Your Heart—was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth is contracted with HarperCollins Christian Publishing into the year 2018, and she has published thirteen novels and thirteen novellas to date.
As a former newspaper reporter, Beth was honored by her peers with eleven journalism awards, including first place news writing for The Texas Press Association. She has been a humor columnist for The 1960 Sun in Houston and published articles in various publications. However, writing novels is where her heart is. She left her job as a journalist in 2008 to write novels fulltime.
Beth has a deep affection for the Amish and their simpler way of life, and while she plans to continue writing Amish love stories, she is also branching out into other areas. Her first non-Amish, contemporary—Need You Now—released in April 2012 and landed on the CBA Bestseller List. She enjoyed writing the story based in a town near where she lives, and she chose another small Texas town for her next non-Amish contemporary—The House that Love Built—which is based in Smithville, the same quaint town where movies such as Hope Floats and Tree of Life were filmed. Beth continued to spread her wings when she released The Promise in October 2014. Inspired by actual events, The Promise follows Beth’s characters all the way to Pakistan. Beth was involved in the real-life rescue when her friend was held captive in Pakistan. Beth is currently working on book #2 in her new Amish Secrets series, tentatively titled Jacob’s Ladder. Book #1—Her Brother’s Keeper—recently released and was chosen as a Top Pick by RT Reviews Magazine.
May your day be filled with joy. Thank you for stopping in today.
Two sisters navigate the thrilling, euphoric early days of California surf culture in this dazzling saga of ambition, sacrifice, and the tangled ties between mothers and daughters from the New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife.
Southern California, 1960s: endless sunny days surfing in Malibu, followed by glittering neon nights at Whisky a Go Go. In an era when women are expected to be housewives, Carol Donnelly breaks the mold as a legendary female surfer struggling to compete in a male-dominated sport—and her daughters, Mindy and Ginger, bear the weight of Carol’s unconventional lifestyle.
The Donnelly sisters grow up enduring their mother’s absence—physically, when she’s at the beach, and emotionally, the rare times she’s at home. To escape questions about Carol’s whereabouts—and to chase her elusive affection—they cut school to spend their days in the surf. From her first time on a board, Mindy is a natural, but Ginger, two years younger, feels out of place in the water.
As they grow up and their lives diverge, Mindy and Ginger’s relationship ebbs and flows. Mindy finds herself swept up in celebrity, complete with beachside love affairs, parties at the Playboy Club, and a USO tour in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Ginger, desperate for a community of her own, is tugged into the dangerous counterculture of drugs and cults. But through it all, their sense of duty to each other survives, as the girls are forever connected by the emotional damage they carry from their unorthodox childhood.
A gripping, emotional story set at a time when mothers were expected to be Donna Reed, not Gidget, California Golden is an unforgettable novel about three women living in a society that was shifting as tempestuously as the breaking waves.
When I downloaded this book at the recommendation of the publisher, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy it. It’s historical yes, which I read a lot of, but it takes place later than most of the historicals I read, in the 1960’s. I don’t read many books taking place in the 60’s, it’s before I was born and also from what I’ve read a very tumultuous time.
I could tell you this takes place in California and is one of those surfing novels and that’s true but it’s so much more than that. It’s about sisters, pretty young when this starts, and it follows their path as they grow and mature.
It’s also about the sister’s relationship, one is a giver and carer and the other is a receiver and the one taken care of by multiple people throughout her life. We also see the girl’s relationship with their mother, these girls practically raise themselves while their mother surfs. Not your typical PTA mom.
The girls don’t want to be like their mother who ignores everything in life but surfing but to some degree they both are. One even surfs competitively for a time. It’s the 60’s vibe tumultuous times, surfing and waxing your board, family relationships broken by lies and neglect and unconventional women.
Very emotional as we see the girls finding themselves in life and their evolving relationship with each other and their mother. Well worth the read and recommended!
Pub Date 08 Aug 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About The Author
Melanie Benjamin was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. An avid reader all her life–as a child, she was the proud winner, several years running, of the summer reading program at her local library–she still firmly believes that a lifetime of reading is the best education a writer can have.
While attending Indiana University–Purdue University at Indianapolis, Melanie performed in many community theater productions before meeting her husband, moving to the Chicago area and raising two sons. Writing was always beckoning, however, and soon she began writing for local magazines and newspapers before venturing into her first love, fiction.
By combining her passion for history and biography, she has found her niche writing historical fiction, concentrating on the “stories behind the stories.” Her most recent novel, THE GIRLS IN THE PICTURE, tells the fascinating and timely story of the first true female partnership – and enduring friendship – in Hollywood, between the silent film star Mary Pickford and her collaborator (and first woman to win an Academy Award for Best Screenplay), Frances Marion.
Her previous novels, THE SWANS OF FIFTH AVENUE, and THE AVIATOR’S WIFE, were New York Times, USA Today and IndieBound best sellers. Her first novel, ALICE I HAVE BEEN, was a national bestseller; this was followed by the critically acclaimed THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF MRS. TOM THUMB. Her next novel will be out in May, 2019.
She and her family still live in the Chicago area; when she’s not writing, she’s gardening, taking long walks, rooting for the Cubs–
And reading, of course.
Have a terrific Tuesday and thanks for stopping by.
Patsy Clements lives in Croftwood. It’s been her sanctuary for three years while she rebuilt a life for herself that is safe and happy. Out of necessity, she has learnt to live without ambitions or dreams, but she does have her best friend Oliver who means everything to her.
Oliver Jones owns the trendy local coffee shop and establishes himself as the town entrepreneur when he buys the derelict old cinema in the park. Bringing it back to life is going to be a challenge and he wants his best friend Patsy to be his business partner.
After lying low for three years is it a mistake for her to change the life that has kept her safe or is it time to start living again? Will stepping into the limelight tempt fate and mean her past catches up with her and can she survive if it does?
Join Patsy and Oliver in the small town of Croftwood for a summer where friendships are made, challenges are everywhere and romance blossoms at the cinema in the park.
My Thoughts
This is my first read by Victoria Walker. I just love trying out new to me authors. Most of the time the books are great but sometimes not so much. This time it was a definite hit! Taking place in Croftwood (I’m not sure if this is a real place or not) but it sounds so charming there. I want Croftwood to be my next travel vacation trip.
With a trendy coffee shop owned by Oliver who is Patsy’s best friend Oliver finds himself wanting to reopen an old derelict cinema in the park. He has such grand ideas for it. He’s on his way to creating his dream with friends, local architect Matt, and Ed, an amateur projectionist.
Patsy is finally able to have a better life for herself now that she’s lived in Croftwood for 3 years. She left a controlling marriage, and it’s boosted her confidence. I really loved seeing how so many of the shop owners and townsfolks are such great friends. I also enjoyed seeing how many used the train as their main way of transportation. It sounds like such a fabulous way to see the sights and travel to work.
The renovation of the cinema sounded like so much fun. There are some surprising reveals but through highs and lows the pals support each other. Full of small-town charm, emotional, sharp, romance and an all over feel good happy book this is one to add to your reading list straight away.
First published May 2, 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Victoria Walker has been writing romantic fiction since a visit to Iceland in 2014 inspired her first novel. As well as writing, she spends her free time dressmaking, knitting and reading an inordinate amount of contemporary romance, occasionally punctuated by the odd psychological thriller and saga.
In the past she has worked as a cinema projectionist, a knitting and sewing tutor and has owned a yarn store, all things which will no doubt appear in her books if they haven’t already.
Victoria lives in the Malvern Hills with her husband.
Summer is a cat living happily with ten-year-old girl Sami and her family in Syria. Then the war comes. Sami and her parents are forced to make the heart-wrenching decision to flee as refugees, leaving Summer behind. On her journey through nine lives in a dozen countries, Summer discovers her purpose – to find Sami again. The quest leads Summer all over the world, meeting diverse people from a vast array of cultures and backgrounds, through exciting adventures and heart-break, desperate struggle and survival. But she never ever gives up hoping and searching. Will Summer ever find Sami, and be reunited with her family in her furever home once again?
The Nine Lives of Summer is a heart-warming tale ideal for both children and adult cat lovers of all ages. It is the purr-fect book for fans of A Street Cat Named Bob, and the author’s own A Cat Called Dog, as well as stories about refugees such as The Boy at the Back of the Class.
Summer is a beautiful calico cat living with her owner 10-year-old Sami and her family in Syria. Things are going at a well-established pace until the war breaks out in Syria. The family must flee leaving Summer behind. Sami and Summer are determined to meet up again at some point. Summer goes through nine cat lives as she is in different countries in her multiple lives. The author does a wonderful job of adding the correct cultural foods, languages, and descriptions of each area. From the frozen tundra to the hottest jungle, the fish wharf and more. Summer’s life is a struggle for survival in this emotional story. As a lover of cat stories, I enjoyed this one very much especially reading about the many lives the cat lived. It reeled me in, and I read it in an afternoon. Prepare yourself to be emotionally invested in the adventures and survival of Summer and her friends. Recommended!
Pub Date 01 Mar 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
Jem Vanston is a former college teacher who now runs his own editing and proofreading agency as a solopreneur.
He has been a freelance journalist, with pieces published in magazines such as Your Cat and The Cat, TNT/Southern Cross, The Prague Post, The Guardian and other publications. He is also an occasional film producer.
An award-winning author, he has published ten books, from satirical novels, short stories and poetry, to children’s books and cat stories, as both Jem Vanston and PJ Vanston. He’s a screenwriter, radio drama writer and published songwriter too.
Born and brought up near London in Kent, he now lives in Swansea with his two rescue cats, Honey and Bumble, who do their best to distract him from writing – or getting anything else productive done – whenever and however they can.
Poland, 1944: Armed men line the streets herding us forward, ignoring screams as they pull people from the crowd. My heart pounds as I hear a familiar cry. They have hold of my darling friend. I desperately push through to her, to save her. But we are too densely packed in. I can’t hold back my sobs as she crumples. I am too late…
When war broke out, Julia’s father, a high-ranking Polish Officer, took her from Warsaw to keep her safe. Now, with her father missing-in-action, Julia has returned to find him and fight for the resistance—but the city is more dangerous than she ever thought it could be.
When she is trapped in the ghetto, Nazis dragging people into the streets all around her, Julia can only watch in horror as her dearest friend is pulled from the crowd. Heart shattering as her friend falls to the cobbled streets, Julia’s desperate screams attract the soldiers’ attention, and it seems she is about to suffer the same awful fate.
Until her childhood sweetheart, Nikolaj, appears in enemy uniform and stops the guards with one word. The boy Julia remembers would never side with the Germans: and in the safety of his private room, he explains he is a resistance spy within the ranks of Nazi officers. But the longer he keeps her in the barracks, surrounded by his soldiers, the more Julia grows uneasy about the man she once knew…
Half-Jewish and with her father a wanted man, how safe can she be behind enemy lines? Has her childhood friend become one of the monsters she has been fighting against? And if he has, will she ever be able to escape him?
Fans of Orphan Train, The Nightingale and The Tattooist of Auschwitz will adore this utterly heart-breaking page turner. You will not forget this unputdownable story of love, loss and the courage it takes to hold on to hope in darkest times.
I have read many books touching on different topics of WWII, none have touched me the way this series has. Though this is a series each book may be read as a standalone though you’ll get more benefit of reading the entire series. I have learned so much by reading this series.
Have the tissues with you while reading. My heart broke for the mistreatment of the Polish people.
Beginning with the uprising of the Polish people in and near Warsaw. In Poland 1944, Julia’s father is a high-ranking officer and moves them out of Warsaw to keep them safe but goes mia. She must return to Poland to search for him, and she is also part of the resistance. When she sees a long-time childhood friend, she has always felt safe with she doesn’t understand why she sees him in a Nazi uniform.
Talking to her he explains he is really spying as a German soldier. Wanting to feel safe with him she overlooks his bizarre and changed personality, but should she examine it further?
This is an exceptional author who writes a true to life story that is not afraid to include the nitty gritty because after all this is true to life. Her stories always have the glimmer of light shining through in the absolute courageous actions of characters, unparallel bravery and putting other needs before their own. I will read every book this author writes!
Pub Date: 21 Apr 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
While Gosia Nealon is a proud New Yorker, she was born and raised in Poland. Her journey to the Big Apple revealed a wealth of cultural differences, but also the values that connect us all. Like the fierce desire to protect family, find love, and ultimately, discover who we are and why we’re here.
Gosia’s award-winning short stories have always delved into life’s biggest questions, but it was the drama, sacrifice, and tragedy of WWII that led her to pen her debut novel, which won a gold medal in the 2022 Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY).
Growing up in Poland, Gosia heard many firsthand accounts of the war, told from a perspective rarely captured in mainstream literature. She was compelled to breathe life into two young people falling in love in the midst of the most terrifying conflict of our time.
When Gosia isn’t tapping away at her laptop, she’s often walking the streets of New York. With her husband and two young sons in tow, they search for the most succulent pierogi, transporting them back to the cobbled streets of her childhood.
In 1944 in war-torn Dubrovnik Branko Milisic holds his newborn daughter Safranka and wishes her a better future. But while the Nazis are finally retreating, the arrival of the partisans brings new dangers for Branko, his wife Dragica and their new baby…
As older sister to two half-siblings, Fran has always known she has to fit in. But now, for the first time in her life Fran is facing questions about who she is and where she comes from.
All Fran knows about her real father is that he was a hero, and her mother had to flee Dubrovnik after the war. But when she travels to the city of her birth to uncover the truth, she is devastated to discover her father was executed by the partisans in 1944, accused of being a collaborator. But the past isn’t always what it seems…
My Thoughts
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. This is an incredible story that I connected with the characters right away. A beautifully written dual timeline I was immersed in the story as I read. I liked that the main character is a woman in her sixties as many books do not have a main character this age and it’s wonderful to see women this age shine. Though going by Fran her actual name is Safranka. Fran was born in Dubrovnik, Croatia and towards the end of the Second World War. Her stepfather has just passed away and her mother several years before this. She really didn’t know her father and she is upset that she can’t ask her mother about it. Having spent most of her life in England she knows she must go the land of her birth, Dubrovnik, Croatia. There she meets handsome men Vedran and his uncle Jadran. The descriptions of Croatia’s food, culture, scenery and its people made my imagination come alive. I could just picture it all. This is a journey she will take with Jadran who encourages her in her research to find out about her father’s life. She discovers to move forward in her journey you first have to move backwards, and the past is closer than you think. Such a beautiful story, very touching, heartwarming and will not be forgotten.
Pub Date: 01 Apr 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Eva Glyn’s The Collaborator’s Daughter is published by One More Chapter and is available to order HERE
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The Author
Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.
Her last holiday before lockdown was a trip to Croatia, and the country’s haunting histories and gorgeous scenery have proved fertile ground, driven by her friendship with a tour guide she met there. His wartime story provided the inspiration for The Olive Grove and his help in creating a realistic portrayal of Croatian life has proved invaluable. Her second novel set in the country, An Island of Secrets is a dual timeline looking back to World War 2, and although a contemporary romance featuring mature main characters her third, The Collaborator’s Daughter, has its roots in that conflict too.
Eva lives in Cornwall, although she considers herself Welsh, and has been lucky enough to have been married to the love of her life for more than twenty-five years. She also writes as Jane Cable.
The Irish House: A totally heartbreaking and powerful story about families, secrets and finding your way home
My dearest Marianne, have you ever completely loved one person? What I am about to tell you now, I have told no one…
Beautiful Kilteelagh House in Ireland, with its avenue of trees and its acres of wildflowers, was somewhere Marianne thought she’d never be again. At least, not without her beloved grandmother Collie. But when Collie passes away, she has just one request – for Marianne to leave behind her glamorous life in New York and to raise Collie’s orphaned granddaughters in the wild Irish countryside. Heartbroken and determined to fulfil her grandmother’s dying wish, Marianne has no choice but to say yes…
All Marianne and her cousins have left is each other, and letters from Collie that keep arriving from beyond the grave. They become a lifeline for Marianne, and she soon realises that her grandmother still has a lot to still teach her. And after a chance encounter with gorgeous local handyman Jack, Marianne wonders if Collie believed being back at Kilteelagh House would help her find love, too?
Soon, Marianne can’t help but begin to fall in love with this place that is so full of memories, of secrets, and perhaps even a little bit of Irish magic. But then out of the blue, a letter from Collie arrives that changes everything…
Will Marianne ever be able to decide where her heart truly belongs? Or will she have to run away from the only people who have ever truly understood her?
An absolutely heartbreaking and heart-warming read overflowing with Irish charm that will make you laugh, cry and hold your loved ones close. Perfect for fans of Susanne O’Leary, Cathy Kelly and Kathleen McGurl.
Oh my heart! I went through so many emotions while reading this book by a new to me author. Fashion designer, Marianne from New York arrives in Balgaddy, Dublin Ireland after being summoned there for the reading of her grandmother Collie’s will. She feels so guilty as work had kept her busy the past several years while her grandmother’s health deteriorated, and she was unable to travel to Ireland while her grandmother was still alive. She inherits Kilteelagh House, her grandmother’s pride and joy, her house which means everything to her. The conditions are she must be the guardian to her two young nieces, one 6 the other 15 and she is to live at Kilteelagh House for a year while doing so. Unsure of herself and her parenting skills at first she gains confidence the longer she is there. As she falls in love with the house as much as her grandmother has she also falls in love with a local man. Discovering all the house has to offer, like sitting and enjoying all the flowers as the seasons pass. The descriptions are so beautiful I can vividly imagine the house as the author paints such a vivid picture of it, breathtaking. The letters are what got to me. Each month Marianne is given a letter her grandmother has written to her before her death. These letters boost her confidence 10-fold and give her practical advice and also talk about her grandmother’s life all the while offering up secrets, she has never shared with anyone else. She is now the keeper of secrets and it’s a huge responsibility to hold all the while it explains the current family dynamics. The book is heartbreaking but warm and relatable. I completely loved it and must read more by this author.
Pub Date 14 Apr 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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The Author
Ann is the Irish author of five novels and has been translated into eleven languages. Her first novel The Ballroom Cafe was also an ebook bestseller and in the top 20 bestselling books of 2015 on Amazon UK. Ann loves to write and often gets up at 5am to get the words down, before starting her other job of writing as a news reporter. A leading journalist in Ireland, Ann has covered all major news events in a long career with Independent Newspapers, Ireland. She is now a senior journalist with the Irish Examiner specialising in legal issues. Ann has also lived in India. Originally from the west of Ireland she now lives on the east coast with her husband and family.
I am so happy to help kick off the blog tour on publication day of Jo Bartletts’ One Last Summer at Seabreeze Farm. I have been just loving this series and was so excited to see another addition to it.
About The Book
One Last Summer at Seabreeze Farm
A summer to remember…
Georgia Banks knows she’s living on borrowed time. So, when doctors tell her she’s got one last summer to make all her dreams come true, she’s determined to make every day count.
The one thing that’s never in doubt, is that she wants her best friend, Gabe, to be with her every step of the way. And so, Georgia draws up her not-a-bucket list with all the things she’s determined to tick off before she goes – number one of which is to spend one last summer by the sea.
Seabreeze Farm perched high on the cliffs above the English Channel is the perfect spot, and surrounded by the antics of its menagerie of rescued animals and the warmth of the friendship she’s offered there, Georgia starts to believe she can live out all her dreams before it’s too late.
And just when she thinks there’s nothing left to wish for, Georgia gets another chance at life. But taking it might mean losing the one person she cares about the most.
As she faces her biggest challenge yet, Georgia wonders if her last summer at Seabreeze Farm will mean the end of her biggest dream of all.
This book was previously published as One Last Summer at Channel View Farm
What an incredibly emotional book. I love this author’s books, and this is unlike any I have read from the rom com genre before. It emphasizes the importance of organ donation to help others in desperate need. I have always enjoyed reading the Seabreeze Farm series with its farmhouse perched high up on the cliffs above the English Channel. It truly sounds like the perfect relaxation place to be. Before you start reading this do have your tissues ready. Georgia and Gabe have known each other all their life, he has seen her in good times and bad. Recently its been more of her going through the bad times. You see Georgia has failing health and is told she has one last summer to make all her dreams come true. With her bucket list ready of simple things like spending her last days by the sea and having a puppy. She doesn’t dare to voice aloud her one wish she’s doesn’t in a million years think will come true. All these wishes, she wants Gabe by her side all the way. Gabe will be with her all the way as she gets her last wish filled in such an unexpected way. All the emotions with this one. I loved it!
Pub Date: 13 Apr 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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The Author
Jo Bartlett is the bestselling author of over nineteen women’s fiction titles. She fits her writing in between her two day jobs as an educational consultant and university lecturer and lives with her family and three dogs on the Kent coast. Her first title for Boldwood is The Cornish Midwife – part of a twelve-book deal.
